Washington Wizards star Trae Young revealed that his decision to sign a four-year, $212 million contract extension this past summer came down to his desire to remain in the nation's capital and his positive experiences with the organization.
Young declined his $49 million player option in favor of the new agreement, which includes a player option for the fourth year, securing his future with Washington after spending the first eight seasons of his NBA career with the Atlanta Hawks.
During a recent episode of WatchGuys with Robertino, Young explained why he wanted to make a long-term commitment to the Wizards.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously, it's just an opportunity for me to extend my time out here in D.C. I mean, if you were in my position, I think you would,” Young said.
“I've loved this since I've been out here. I mean, it's been nice, man. I mean, you have gloomy days where it looks like it's a little rain, but, I mean, the people around here are amazing, so I knew I wanted to spend more time out here, and the opportunity was there.”
Washington acquired Young from Atlanta in January in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, making him a central figure in the franchise's efforts to transition from rebuilding toward competing.
The Wizards subsequently acquired Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks before selecting AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Young also discussed what he enjoys most about basketball beyond winning, emphasizing the relationships and experiences that come with playing in the NBA.
“My favorite part of the game is, I don't know, besides the part of winning, I think just building relationships with your teammates, being around your guys, and the memories you get from playing in games in different arenas,” Young said.
“All these different fans from around the world. It's definitely a dream come true to be able to play in the NBA. Just really the memories you get from a day-in and day-out basis.”
Trae Young discusses Wizards teammates, No. 3 jersey and Steve Nash
Earlier in the episode, Young expressed excitement about playing alongside Davis and Dybantsa, praising the rookie for handling the expectations accompanying his status as the top overall selection.
“Like, being the number one pick, there's a lot of pressure that comes with it, but you can't really see it just by being around him,” Young said.
Young also advised Dybantsa to prioritize team success and find his role within Washington's roster rather than focusing exclusively on individual accomplishments.
Article Continues BelowThe four-time All-Star additionally explained his decision to switch from No. 11 to No. 3 with Washington, revealing that the number carries personal significance.
Young wore No. 3 during his freshman year of high school, while his father also wore the number in college. He cited Chris Paul and Allen Iverson as two additional influences behind the decision.
When the conversation shifted toward basketball inspirations and personal style, Young identified former Phoenix Suns star Steve Nash as his favorite player of all time.
Washington concluded its preseason schedule Friday with a 107-106 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Wizards will begin their 2026-27 regular season Wednesday, Oct. 21, when they host the Milwaukee Bucks at 7 p.m. ET.
With a new contract and a revamped supporting cast, Young enters his first full season in Washington committed to helping the franchise establish a winning identity.